Reese Monroe's Blog, page 4
February 14, 2014
Happy Valentine’s Day
I love this day! It’s more than because it’s Valentine’s Day. This is the day my sweet hubby asked me to marry him way back in 1996!
A second reason I love this day is because of the whole love thing. I mean, I write romance novels… So yeah, I kinda love the whole day of love thing.
Here’s a little excerpt from Forged by Fate showing a little bit of Sadie and Theo’s love:
“What happened?” he asked, gripping her shoulders.
“Um. Nothing?” She glanced up the stairs.
“Your heart pounds. You were scared.”
She frowned at him. “You told me I’d get fangs, but you didn’t mention I’d be getting your speed, too. Um—even before we—you know.”
“You sped?”
“Sadie, are you okay?” Dasha sidled up next to Theo, breathing heavy. “Mr. Fang dude here buzzed by me like a maniac.” She smacked his shoulder. “’Bout plowed me over.”
Fangs? She looked at Theo and, sure enough, they were down. He looked ready to take on an army. And wow, she hadn’t even noticed them.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Sadie pinched his chin between her finger and thumb. “I’m okay. Just freaked out at the speed for a sec.”
“You’re growing, too, girl.” Dasha smiled. “You’re like two inches taller. No fair.”
“How?” Sadie asked Theo.
“Your body prepares itself for me,” he whispered. “For once we unite.”
Her shoulder pulsed. So did his neck. She visibly saw it, and his pupils ate up the beautiful hazel irises she’d become addicted to. She brushed her thumb beneath his bottom lip and once again his fangs softened beneath her touch.
Amazing.
The elongated teeth retracted, and Theo drew in a deep breath through his nose. At eye level since she was still on the bottom step, she leaned in until their noses met. Was it because she was this fated Shomrei Mate that she wanted him so fiercely? Or was it just because she was a woman wanting to explore? Was it love?
Regardless. She knew she wanted him. In every way.
“Wow.” Dasha stepped back. “The energy between you two is crackling. I can almost see it.”
“You might, later,” Justin said as he came in from the kitchen. “Once they’re mated. I’ve seen it before. You don’t ever want to get between Mates, let’s just put it that way.”
Dasha sighed.
Sadie held Theo’s gaze for a long breath and then smiled as she brushed against his hard body. “I’ve always wanted to be six feet tall.”
His laughter rang out under the cathedral ceiling. It sounded like music. He rarely laughed a full from-the-gut laugh. In fact, she’d heard it only once or twice. She vowed to try to hear that at least once every single day.
He deserved at least that after all these years alone. Constantly serving this Great One. Protecting everyone else.
“Halena here?”
Theo shook his head and guided Sadie down from the last stair. She stepped into him and cupped his neck. His eyes flared orange again, another thing she was completely addicted to already.
She brushed her cheek to his and slid her hand into his back pocket. A quick nip at his earlobe and a squeeze of his tight butt had him sucking in a sharp breath.
“I’d carry you upstairs right now if we didn’t have company,” he whispered.
She gave him a wink and another quick squeeze, then faced Dasha as Theo let out a little growl. Oh yeah, they’d end up in the bedroom soon enough.
What do you guys love most about Valentine’s Day? Any special traditions? Any fun stories to share? What are some of your favorite love stories: Movies or books? I’d love to hear them.
February 10, 2014
Help me name my next book
If I pick your idea(s) you’ll be named in my acknowledgements!
The story is a New Adult contemporary about an agoraphobic girl, Angelina Raine and a former ultimate fighter, Paul Amos. The two couldn’t be more different, and I had a blast writing the story of how their world collided.
Here’s the blurb that my amazing crit partner, Rachel Firasek, helped me with. It’s a working blurb, so it might change as we go through and edit the book, but I’m loving this first look:
Angelina Raine hasn’t left her apartment in over four years, but she’s determined to attend graduation—if she can make it down the hall and to the elevator. On her journey to freedom, she smacks into her worse nightmare: A tall, tattooed hunk of muscle who looks meaner than the men she’d been hiding from for so long.
Paul Amos has done his best to steer clear of personal attachments and to tamp down the rage that nearly destroyed his family. But when he opens himself to the beauty next door, he will protect her with a vengeance.
When Fate tosses two damaged souls together, they’ll cling to the hope that their love can keep them together, even when the world and their pasts are trying to tear them apart.
I know it’s difficult to come up with much off a little blurb, so here’s a little more about our couple:
Angelina is completely broken after narrowly surviving a brutal attack a little more than four years ago. She’d been on campus about to start her freshman year of college when a gang of thugs kidnapped her. After being held hostage for several days, she was found, near death, and as a result fear has ruled her life, keeping her hostage in her own home.
Paul prides himself on his strength, never wanting to fall victim to the abuse he and his mom suffered at the hands of his father. Worried the same rage and psychosis runs in his veins, Paul shuns any form of attachment after his uncontrolled rage unintentionally harms someone he cared about.
So, what comes to your mind for a title and/or tag line?
I have a few ideas mulling around my head, but I want to hear from you!
Post your ideas in the comments and if I pick your suggestion(s) you’ll be in my acknowledgements* when it’s published.
Have fun!!
*Please note, this story is not under contract and publication isn’t guaranteed. If you leave suggestions, you are relinquishing rights and claims to any future royalties and agreeing I am free to use any suggestion(s) offered. If contracted by a publisher, they may change title/tagline, but I will still acknowledge you.
February 8, 2014
Angelina’s Story…
I just typed THE END to a new project. I’m always excited when I get to type the end on a new project, but this time, it’s especially sweet because it’s my first ever CONTEMPORARY novel!
Yes…you read that right. No angels, demons or vampires.
I’m super psyched about Angelina, the main character. She’s an agoraphobic who has been shut in her apartment for four years and twelve days after being brutally attacked that many years ago.
We meet her as she’s working with her online therapist to get out of her apartment. Of course something goes wrong and we meet the hero of the story. A massively huge, tattooed, former ultimate fighter…and the fun begins.
I’m letting the story sit to simmer a while before the real fun begins: EDITING.
But here’s a little sneak peek into the rough first few paragraphs.
Taking this one step through the doorway of my apartment wouldn’t kill me. Logically I knew that, but somehow, my body considered the mere thought of walking out of my apartment a step that could possibly end the world.
At least my world.
I drew in a deep breath, but it didn’t change the drum solo pounding away at my rib cage.
“I can’t do this,” I whispered.
“You can, Angelina. We’ve been to this point more times than we can count. It’s time,” Jenna’s soft voice whispered in my ear.
She was an amazing therapist. Heck, it was two in the morning and she was on the phone with me, helping me take this first step.
I glanced down at my phone and her wide, green eyes filled the small screen. She nodded, encouraging me. Like she had for the past two years.
Two freaking years it’s taken me to get to the doorway. Well, not exactly to the doorway, but to the doorway with the intention of making it all the way to the end of the hallway and into the elevator.
A wave of anxiety stormed through my stomach, clenching the muscles as the bile rose. Heat steamed my cheeks, but a chill puckered the skin along my arms beneath my long sleeved thermal.
I can do this. I will not let them control me.
“Breath, Angelina,” Jenna reminded me.
Oh, yeah. In through the nose, out through the mouth.
“Name your songs if you need to,” Jenna said.
I nodded and eased my hand down, still holding the lifeline, but I didn’t want to see Jenna’s face. I needed to be strong. I could do this.
Sober. Family Portrait. Try. As I rolled through the list of songs from my favorite, kick-ass, tougher than nails artist, P!nk, I felt my energy rising. My confidence. It was a silly safe guard, but it worked. I loved music, but her lyrics hit the head of the nail so many times for me it worked.
It’s got a ways to go with edits, but it’s a start. Now, all I need is a TITLE. Might have to some help from you guys!
Have a super day.
February 3, 2014
@EntangledPub turns 3!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to Entangled Publishing!
Happy Birthday to you!
My publisher, Entangled Publishing, is celebrating three years in business!
I’m so proud to be involved with this forward thinking, exciting, and very talented group of people, so I hope you join me in wishing them a very happy birthday!
February 24th-28th they’ll be having a Facebook Party. CLICK HERE to come join in. Hope to see you there!!
February 1, 2014
Ready for love?
Well, February is here, which means Valentine’s Day is right around the corner!! Since I’m a romance writer, I have to admit this is one of my favorite months. We get to celebrate one of my most favorite things.
~LOVE~
Here’s a little snippet from Forged by Fate that begins Theo and Sadie’s romance….
Gentle fingers dusted along her forearm, leaving a subtle trail of tingling electricity. They traced the bulging vein on the back of her hand to her palm, pausing ever so slightly, then continued until his fingers twined with hers.
His eyes were closed, and his face tilted skyward. She dropped her attention to where he clung to her hand. Slowly, she clasped her fingers tight, sealing the connection.
He let out a breath. A breeze rustled through the distant trees, sending a scent of pine and woodsy bark through the air. Goose bumps puckered her skin, yet she wasn’t cold. The warm, May air was perfect, even though it was nearing late evening.
“So, what’s our next move?” she whispered, breaking the silence.
He squeezed her hand. “Nothing, for now. We need tonight to recuperate. Refuel.” He drew in a deep breath. “To listen.”
“Meaning?”
“There’s a lot happening. We need to settle down and listen for The Great One’s guidance.”
“Not sure I really believe in a Great One.”
“Why not?”
“Can’t see him.” She glanced at him, but he still faced the sky.
“Understandable.”
No judgment. No condemnation. Was this guy for real? Did he have anything imperfect about him?
His eyebrow jutted up, and he latched onto her stare. Shit, had he heard her? She went to loosen her grip on his hand, but he tightened. “No. Don’t,” he said. “I need this.”
That stopped her short.
“You energize me, love.”
“I’m your little electrical plug-in, is that what you’re saying?” She gasped. “Oh, that sounded bad. I meant—” She shook her head. Her mind jumbled at the intensity of the man standing beside her. Staring at her. Wanting her. She could feel it.
And what scared her even more was she wanted him.
Badly.
Like nothing would be right until she was close to him. Closer than holding hands.
She hated feeling out of control. Manipulated.
“Shhh.” He cupped her face. “Be calm. You’re safe here.”
No, she wasn’t, because she was falling for this guy. While she kind of enjoyed the warm, fuzzy feeling starting to build between them, it kind of ticked her off, too. She hardly knew him. Where was this free will Justin spoke of earlier?
To make matters worse, demons were after her and now probably after Dasha, too, and Sadie had almost died, like, fifteen times earlier today. Nothing was safe around this guy.
Especially her heart.
“I feel your turmoil.” He leaned down, so close his breath tickled her face.
She couldn’t stop her tongue from sliding out to moisten her lips. God she wanted him to kiss her.
That was so not like her, either.
“I can help,” he whispered, leaning even closer. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.” The answer came out before she could rein it in. How could she trust him? She barely knew him. “Yes.”
He smiled, and his gaze shifted to her lips. “Allow me a kiss, then.”
She almost said “anything,” but found her control. She inched up to her tiptoes as she nodded. If anyone was doing the kissing, it’d be her.
Hope you have a great month of love!
January 28, 2014
FbF Reviews coming in…
Thanks to everyone who’s taken the time to write reviews for Forged by Fate.
Here are a few snippets…
“This was a beautiful romance with an awesome couple.” CLICK HERE to read more
“This was seriously one of the better paranormal books I have read this year.” CLICK HERE to read more
“This book was like a breath of fresh air.” CLICK HERE to read more
Writing reviews helps spread the word so thank you for writing yours! You guys are rock stars!
January 18, 2014
AZ Author Chat #ReadersRule
I had a BLAST hanging out with these ladies. They’d read Forged by Fate and brought me in to chat about it–and other books. Heck we were talking TV, Movies, Books…such a blast.
Hanging out with readers and chatting up books is one of my most favorite things to do as an author. I love hearing what people think of my stories and how they impact them. Or how a certain character stands out to them. It’s just plain fun!
Here are a few pictures from today’s event:
Thanks to Tawney for putting this together, and thank you Elevate Coffee Company for great drinks!
I’m always up for chatting books. If your book club is interested in talking any of my books, feel free to drop me a line. I’m available for in-person visits or Skype/FaceTime….Love technology. I get to hang out with people all over the world!! Just drop me a note and we’ll get it set up: ReeseMonroe (at) ReeseMonroe (dot) net
Thanks!
January 17, 2014
Marked by Hades
We’re one step closer! I’ve turned in the first round edits of Marked by Hades, the second novel in the Bound by Hades Trilogy to my super editors Karen Grove and Theresa Cole.
I’ve heard from so many of you that you were hoping book two was Justin’s story, and I’m glad to say YEP IT IS! I loved writing him as a side character in book one, so I’m glad book two is all his. There are some surprising twists in his path to finding his Mate, and it was super fun writing this story.
Once we have the “back cover blurb” ready I’ll post it. Super Editors are working on it.
A huge THANKS to Entangled Embrace, Karen, and Theresa!!
Stay tuned, Marked by Hades releases in April! Forged by Fate is out now. Give it a click, and you’ll be all set to continue the Shomrei adventure.
Here’s a little looksey into Forged by Fate:
Thanks for your support!
